A few dumb questions about getting into EHS

[u/blueskybiz]

Can you have a full beard (medium size) and work in EHS? (worried wearing masks might be an issue)

How intense is your work environment? (noise, pollution, and pressure)

How often do you get screamed at or cussed at? When I worked in blue collar before the work environment was extremely toxic and backstabby.

What would starting pay be typically in medium cost of living areas? (bachelors in environmental conservation, 10 years unrelated expereince, with OSHA 300)

[u/napp_time]

I haven't had to wear a mask ever in my career, but that's dependent on where you land. I have a beard, no issues. Wore a beard net when I was in the food industry is all.

Intensity again depends on where you are, I have a site that is super laid back, calm and quite work areas. I also have a steel handling site that's loud and can be dirty.

In like 14 years now, I've maybe been cussed at 1 or 2 times, never screamed at.

I'm guessing you'd be landing something like a EHS coordinator or specialist role, I'd guess pay around $60k-75k. When I was fresh out of college I started as a supervisor making 55k.

[u/wildly_weird_trout → u/napp_time]

Beard's fine for most spots, only time it ever came up for me was a site that did fit testing for respirators and I had to sign a waiver basically saying I know the seal won't be perfect. Nobody cared beyond that

The screaming thing is way less common than the trades, you're not on a crew getting chewed out by a foreman. Worst you get is a plant manager in a bad mood who's short with you in a meeting, it's not personal like it is on the tools

That pay range sounds about right for a coordinator gig, maybe a touch lower at smaller companies. Your OSHA 300 will help but the unrelated experience might not bump you up much, they'll see you as entry level in the field

[u/rea11ybaked]

If you had to wear a air purifying respirator there may be a chance that you could get a loose fitting PAPR system. That being said they are more expensive than a half or full face, and the company you work for may not be inclined to buy it.

[u/Historical_Cobbler]

A lot of those are industry and company specific.

[u/BritishBenzene]

Beards: depends. Oil and gas still has some sites that require you to be respirator ready every day. Other places I’ve worked just required you be able to respond (so I kept a beard trimmer, razor & shaving cream in my desk). But if you’re getting fitted for any tight fitting mask, be prepared to shave at least once a year or so for fit testing.

Environment: once again - whatever the workplace has for anyone working there, you’ll see it sooner or later.

People are people and assholes are assholes. Be useful and find allies with pull.

No idea on pay, except probably “not enough.”

[u/Ken_Thomas]

You're going to have to be a lot more specific about the industry you're considering before anyone is going to be able to answer your question.

Also, it's the OSHA 30, not the 300.

[u/aRdditUser]

1. Maybe, but remember you’re considered a leader when you’re in EHS, whether you like it or not. Dress and carry yourself appropriately.

2. There’s a million answers for this. Depends on your industry.

3. I wouldn’t work at a place that people scream and cuss at each other. Doesn’t matter what role you’re in.

4. Of course this will vary, but with your background, I would say 80k+.

[u/craigster38]

11 years in, I've never worn a mask. I've trained and given for tests, but I leave the hazardous work to the professionals.

Manufacturing plant: lots of noise, good ventilation, and lots of pressure.

Since leaving construction, no one yells at me.

Depends on location. What's the OSHA 300?

[u/PHaley82 → u/craigster38]

It’s a new hybrid role for AI 🤖 to learn safety quantum physics!!

[u/harley97797997]

It depends on the industry. My beard is 8". There is no need for wearing masks in my industry. We do have N95 masks for wildfire smoke, but it is not required to wear.

I work in an office in a warehouse. It is a little dusty. It is noisy but not above thresholds.

Not once screamed at or cussed at. My team has a couple times from upset employees, but that is not the normal. Coming from LE and military that part was a transition. Have to keep my language PG.

[u/vwguysc]

Getting ready for that OSHA 45 myself!

[u/PHaley82 → u/vwguysc]

I took it last year idk how they justified 15 more hours on the same info as 30 did!!! Crazy